Michigan Majesty Pageant takes center stage

By Katherine Ranzenberger/Special to the Sun

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The glitz and glamour of Toddlers and Tiaras is not well and alive in the central Michigan community’s Michigan Majesty Pageants. The group emphasizes natural beauty and the chance to be on stage more than make-up and fancy dresses.

On Sunday, 35 contestants took the stage at the Broadway Theater in downtown Mt. Pleasant to share their love of the limelight and what they want to be when they grow up. There were plenty of nurses, rock stars, and teachers. Some wanted to be detectives, police officers, and even chefs. The aspirations of the 10-month to 14-year-old’s were set high for their futures.

The contestants of the Michigan Majesty Pageant, both girls and boys, each had 60 seconds for beauty wear and 90 seconds for theme wear. There were sparkles, bows, hats, and lots of pink and blue on stage. The curly hair of contestants was shown to judges as the contestants posed and sashayed on stage.

Jennifer Gruesbeck, co-director of Michigan Majesty Pageants said, “This gives girls a chance to be on stage and the chance to feel like a princess.”

Michigan Majesty Pageants have been putting on events in the mid-Michigan area since September 2012. They have held pageants in St. Louis before, but this is their first time in Mt. Pleasant. The group plans to hold its future pageants at the Broadway Theater so their contestants get the chance to perform on stage and feel all eyes on them.

Gruesbeck explained, “We aren’t like ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ It’s not about making money.”

The group does require a fee to register. However, the fee is used for renting space for the pageants, and purchasing the crowns, trophies, and sashes. They also have a payment program for those who cannot afford the fee up front. They want to give every girl and boy the opportunity to be the center of attention.

There are two Michigan Majesty Pageants planned for the near future. March 24’s pageant has the theme of down on the farm. May 26’s theme for the day is denim diva. Michigan Majesty Pageants hopes to have more contestants and spectators at the next events.

Parents can find more information about Michigan Majesty Pageants online at www.facebook.com/MichiganMajestyPageants as well as sign their child up for an upcoming pageant. Sign-ups are a month before the pageant, and the group emphasized getting there early.